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2023 Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools

603 Schools Ranked
$4,942 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$14,971 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 603 schools in the United States to see which online undergraduate certificate programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, California
3,683 Total Awards
$1,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Santa Monica College the most popular school in the United States for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Santa Monica, California, the large public school awarded 3,683 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SMC is $1,146. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,090. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

2,388 Total Awards
$6,010 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Utah Valley University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in Orem, Utah, the large public school handed out 2,388 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $6,010 in tuition and fees if they attend UVU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,092. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#3

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
2,061 Total Awards
$15,032 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,785 Avg Student Debt

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at DeVry University - Illinois helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the United States. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 2,061 students in 2020-2021.

DeVry University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,032. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $22,785 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on DeVry University - Illinois

1,970 Total Awards
$15,431 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Boulder, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 1,970 students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,431 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

Around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Report

1,329 Total Awards
$13,541 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 1,329 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,541 in student loans. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City

#6

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
1,070 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,000 Avg Student Debt

Mesa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Mesa Community College is a fairly large public school located in Mesa, Arizona that handed out 1,070 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend Mesa Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,000 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

Around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Mesa Community College

#7

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, Louisiana
1,266 Total Awards
$4,079 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,127 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Delgado Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the fairly large public school awarded 1,266 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Delgado Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $4,079. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Delgado Community College accumulate an average of $24,127 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Delgado Community College

#8

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
941 Total Awards
$14,497 Avg Student Debt

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution located in San Mateo, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 941 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accumulate an average of $14,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Report

#9

Merced College

Merced, California
1,041 Total Awards
$1,180 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,067 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Merced College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Merced Community College District is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 1,041 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Merced Community College District. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,444. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Merced Community College District accumulate an average of $9,067 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Merced College

1,354 Total Awards
$14,327 Avg Student Debt

Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,354 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from UMA Clearwater accumulate an average of $14,327 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater

#11

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California
948 Total Awards
$1,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Rio Hondo College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Whittier, California, the fairly large public school awarded 948 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Students from California who attend RHCCD full time pay an average of $1,360 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,780. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 30% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#12

College of Western Idaho

Nampa, Idaho
1,163 Total Awards
$4,336 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,086 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, College of Western Idaho did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Nampa, Idaho, the fairly large public school handed out 1,163 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,086 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on College of Western Idaho

#13

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, California
798 Total Awards
$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,310 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Los Angeles Harbor College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. LAHC is a medium-sized public school situated in Wilmington, California. It awarded 798 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Students from California who attend LAHC full time pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,012. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from LAHC accumulate an average of $11,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

917 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,506 Avg Student Debt

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Estrella Mountain Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Avondale, Arizona that handed out 917 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Estrella Mountain Community College is $2,070. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,506 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Estrella Mountain Community College

1,019 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,982 Avg Student Debt

Chandler-Gilbert Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Chandler-Gilbert Community College is located in Chandler, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,019 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College is $2,070. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,982 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#16

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, Virginia
753 Total Awards
$4,913 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,272 Avg Student Debt

Germanna Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Locust Grove, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 753 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Students from Virginia who attend Germanna Community College full time pay an average of $4,913 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,916. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,272 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Germanna Community College Report

#17

Bryant & Stratton College - Online

Orchard Park, New York
685 Total Awards
$15,295 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,595 Avg Student Debt

Bryant & Stratton College - Online did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. This medium-sized private for-profit school is located in Orchard Park, New York, and it awarded 685 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,295 to cover tuition and fees at Bryant & Stratton College - Online. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Bryant & Stratton College - Online accumulate an average of $19,595 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.

Bryant & Stratton College - Online is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Online

#18

Grayson College

Denison, Texas
752 Total Awards
$3,982 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,978 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Grayson College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Denison, Texas, the small public school awarded 752 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Grayson College is $3,982. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,482. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,978 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Grayson College

#19

South Louisiana Community College

Lafayette, Louisiana
1,031 Total Awards
$4,205 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,759 Avg Student Debt

South Louisiana Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. South Louisiana Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Lafayette, Louisiana that handed out 1,031 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $4,205 to cover tuition and fees at South Louisiana Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,759 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 29% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on South Louisiana Community College

538 Total Awards
$7,704 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,847 Avg Student Debt

University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. UMGC is a public institution located in Adelphi, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 538 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $7,704 in tuition and fees if they attend UMGC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,336. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,847 in student loans. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Maryland Global Campus Report

#21

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, Maryland
658 Total Awards
$7,050 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,169 Avg Student Debt

College of Southern Maryland did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in La Plata, Maryland, the medium-sized public school handed out 658 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Maryland pay an average of $7,050 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CSM. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,030. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,169 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#22

Yavapai College

Prescott, Arizona
549 Total Awards
$16,583 Avg Student Debt

Yavapai College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Prescott, Arizona, the medium-sized public school awarded 549 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,583 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Yavapai College Report

#23

Sonoran Desert Institute

Scottsdale, Arizona
432 Total Awards
$10,950 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,010 Avg Student Debt

Sonoran Desert Institute came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Sonoran Desert Institute is a small private for-profit school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 432 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $10,950 to cover tuition and fees at Sonoran Desert Institute. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Sonoran Desert Institute accumulate an average of $10,010 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 1% were women.

Since Sonoran Desert Institute is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Sonoran Desert Institute Report

#24

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona
955 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,925 Avg Student Debt

Rio Salado College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools ranking. Rio Salado College is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 955 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rio Salado College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $17,925 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#25

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
644 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,048 Avg Student Debt

Phoenix College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Online Undergraduate Certificate Schools list. Phoenix College is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 644 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Phoenix College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $18,048 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Phoenix College

Not only did these schools make the top most popular online list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio
#27

Bryan University

Tempe, Arizona
#28

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona
#29

Sinclair Community College

Dayton, Ohio
#30

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#31

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, California
#32

Miller-Motte College Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
#33

John Tyler Community College

Chester, Virginia
#34

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
#36

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
#36

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
#38

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, Georgia
#38

Community Care College

Tulsa, Oklahoma
#40

Eastern Gateway Community College

Steubenville, Ohio
#41

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
#42

Albany Technical College

Albany, Georgia
#43

National Park College

Hot Springs, Arkansas
#44

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
#46

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Visalia, California
#47

Somerset Community College

Somerset, Kentucky
#49

Career Technical Institute

Washington, District of Columbia

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

Rank School Location
51 Valley College-Martinsburg Martinsburg, WV
52 Fletcher Technical Community College Schriever, LA
53 Louisiana Delta Community College Monroe, LA
54 Mountain Empire Community College Big Stone Gap, VA
55 Amarillo College Amarillo, TX
56 Southern Careers Institute - Austin Austin, TX
57 Lamar State College - Orange Orange, TX
58 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY
59 Advanced Technology Institute Virginia Beach, VA
60 Metropolitan Learning Institute Rego Park, NY
60 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
62 Charter College Vancouver, WA
63 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA
64 Herzing University - Madison Madison, WI
65 Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, AR
65 Bayamon Community College Bayamon, PR
65 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
68 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI
68 Angelina College Lufkin, TX
70 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL
71 American InterContinental University - Online Schaumburg, IL
72 Arlington Career Institute Grand Prairie, TX
72 Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NC
72 Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI
75 Heartland Community College Normal, IL
76 Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MS
76 Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sandersville, GA
78 Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford Stratford, CT
78 University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope, AR
78 Pitt Community College Winterville, NC
81 Carrington College, Sacramento Sacramento, CA
82 Stautzenberger College - Maumee Maumee, OH
82 Klamath Community College Klamath Falls, OR
84 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GA
85 Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College Rockford, IL
85 Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston, GA
87 Regis University Denver, CO
88 Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GA
89 Lanier Technical College Oakwood, GA
89 Holmes Community College Goodman, MS
91 Herzing University - Brookfield Brookfield, WI

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:

Rank School Location
92 Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WI
93 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
94 Portland Community College Portland, OR
95 American National University Salem, VA
96 Volunteer State Community College Gallatin, TN
97 Columbus Technical College Columbus, GA
97 Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL
99 Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, AR
99 Washburn University Topeka, KS
101 Pima Community College Tucson, AZ
102 Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WI
103 Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) San Antonio, TX
104 Paradise Valley Community College Phoenix, AZ
104 Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC
104 Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KY
104 Pikes Peak Community College Colorado Springs, CO
108 Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH
108 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
110 Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GA
111 American College of Healthcare Sciences Portland, OR
111 Central Texas College Killeen, TX
111 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
114 DeVry College of New York New York, NY
114 Ross College-Sylvania Sylvania, OH
114 Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater Clearwater, FL
117 West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KY
117 Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA
119 University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
120 Randolph Community College Asheboro, NC
121 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GA

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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